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Fresh

The Tomatometer is 60% or higher.

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The Tomatometer is 59% or lower.

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To Be or Not to Be Videos

Movie Info

Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not to Be is a black comedy about a Polish theater company--led by Joseph and Maria Tura (Jack Benny and Carole Lombard)--that turns to espionage after being shut down by the invading Nazis.

Audience Reviews for To Be or Not to Be

½

Many comedies giftwrap the jokes so that the poor rubes (which'd be us) know that that is what they're hearing and/or seeing (think of Mel Brooks or a pie in the face or Vines), but not so here. The Lubitsch touch involves leaving the humor for one to discover - or not - and therein the charm. Benny, f'instance, is totally unbelievable as the leading man, or as a leading man whatsoever, but that works for him here as a insecure ham actor constantly seeking approval. Lombard (braless mostly) shimmers in her last effort gracefully. A delight, and better than Lubitsch's other classics in my opinion.

Kevin M. Williams

Super Reviewer

Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds lovingly ripped dozens of pages straight from the books of cinema history. From "actors" playing Nazis to trick the Gestapo to a climactic theater "Nazi Night" including a surprise visit from the Fuhrer, Tarantino was perhaps influenced by few more than Ernst Lubitsch's zany satire To Be Or Not To Be. Set in 1940's Warsaw during the German occupation, a raucous theater troupe, led by the arrogant "great, great actor" Joseph Turan (Jack Benny), take on the Gestapo in the name of the Polish Resistance. Variably a farce and a film of vital importance, this 1942 classic took whip-smart shots at Nazi servitude and Jewish sacrifice even before they were known to the American public. (The war would last for three more years.) In 2011 To Be Or Not To Be could be seen as a mockery or a gem. In any case it's a seminal comedy and, like Casablanca, a saavy look at World War II when its outcome was still indeterminable.

Bob O'Reilly

Super Reviewer

½

This movie is hilarious, it has a great cast and a good director, and the story is interesting. It's even funnier than Brooks' 80s remake. I highly recommend this movie.

Aj V

Super Reviewer

As much a political statement as it is a comedy. Probably Jack Benny's best work in film and the role for which he's most remembered. Mr. Benny kept me in stitches and Carole Lombard kept me drooling. What a talented, beautiful (and very funny!) actress.